Match box



June 25, 1935. l H. F. wgLHELM '2,006,190

MATCH BOX Original Filed June 20, 1930 2 Shee-ts-Sheet 1 4 i ML2 MATCH BOX Original Filed `June 20, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 25, 1935 kUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE] MATCHy BOX Harold F. Wilhelm, East Orange, N. J.

Application June 20, 1930, serial No. 462,457 Renewed November 30, 1934 11 Claims. (Cl. 20G-33) Thisinvention relates to match boxes of the type generally made of metalfor carrying books of paper matches.

According to the invention a match box is provided 'having a holding frame for holding a book of paper matches in such manner that an ordinary book of paper matches can be contained in a box fifty per cent smaller than the usual metal match box` of similar type. To distort the paper matches, the matches are bent .at their junction with the binding or vscratching surface of the book iny such manner that the matches overlap the binding thereof and are disposed upon the opposite side from the scratching surface. f

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction andv combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed i to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the' mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better runderstoodr by referringy to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in whichv Fig. lis a, perspective of a match box accordingv to the invention in open position showing a distorted book of matches therein;

Fig. 2 is a section onthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is asection on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective of a box closed;

Fig. 5 is a sectionof a modified form of match box;

Fig. 6 is a section illustrating the match box in closed position with the match book in position;v and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the base cover of the box of matches illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. f

Likereference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, practical commercial embodiments of the invention are shown, but as such illustrations are primarily for purposes of disclosure,it will bel understood that the structure may bemodified in various respects without departure from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter Adefined and'claimed.

Referring now to the drawings and more para, ticularly to Figs. 1- to 4, inclusive, the boxcomprises a metal case made up of aA base cover I, a top cover 2 connected together bya hinge. The hinge is formed from interfitting knuckles 3 on the covers I and 2 through which a pintle 4 is passed.l f va It will ber seen that each coverhas a substan tially flat bottom with curved sides meeting the sides of the other cover in a pointed' edge. The top cover has a lip` or catch 5 for engagement with the edge of the lbase cover to hold the case closed. ,-0

Disposed Within the case and connected to the base cover I -is a frame 6 for holding the dis-A torted book of matches. The frame 6 comprises an inclined wall 'l having a dependingange; A springy U-shaped portion I2 connects the"bottom 6 with a top Wall III havingan elongated opening II therein for giving access toth'e scratching surface of the match book. The upper Wall I0 has an inclined lip 9 for assisting in-positioning the distortedbook of matches and; for holding the distorted book after it is positioned. A fire wall indicated by I3 is provided for preventing sparks from jumping from the match as it is struck to the remaining matches -in the box. 1 y i f Aholding "device such as a rivet indicated by I4 holds the frame 6 fast to the base cover I.`

The book of matches may be the ordinary commercial type comprising an upper layer 2ll-and a lower layer 2I- having portions slitted to-form matches `24. The unslitted portions indicated by 22` and 23 are boundtogether between sheet 26 which is bent around the unslitted portions forming the scratching or striking surface 25. A fastening device 21 passes through the unslitted portions 22 and 23 and the layers of the cover 26 to bind these parts together.

To place the ordinary book of matches in the case the paper cover (not shown) is torn off, all except the part indicated at 26. The matches 24 are bent near, their junction with the unslitted portions 22 and 23 near the dotted line indicated by I5. The matches are bent away from vthe scratching surface 25 and under the unslitted portions 22 and 23 as shown. The book thus distorted is slipped between the `bottom 6 andthe top Wall I0 to the positionl shown in the gures with the .scratching surface 25 being exposed through the opening II.v The inclined bottom 'I together with the inclined position of the top wall I0 so position the matches 24 as to be easily grasped when the case is opened. Io detachthe matches they are simply pulled lengthwise of themselves and they easily break at or near the dotted line I5 since they are already considerably weakened by being bent at this point.

In the modied form disclosed in Figs. 5, 6 and '7 the base cover is denoted by 30, the top cover by 3|, the hinge connecting the covers as denoted by 32 and the catch by 34. These coversmay be of substantially the same `shape as described above.`

Positioned in the base cover is a frame indicated by 35. This frame comprises a pairof walls 33 and 39 connected at one end, the wall 39 being provided with an elongated opening 31 to expose the scratching surface 25 of the book of matches. Secured to the walls of the base covei` 30 is a pair of ears 33 to which a pair of similar ears on the frame 35 are pivoted by pivots 36.

The book of matches is the ordinary commercial book such as described above and like reference lcharacters denote like parts. Disposed in thebottom of the base cover 30 is an inclined plate 42 which is fastened to the cover in any desired manner, such as'by soldering. The side wall of the base cover 30 may have a lug or projection adapted to engage in a recess in the frame 35 to yieldably lock the frame in the position shown inFig. 6. A ire wall 4| is also provided on the frame 35 to prevent sparks from the matches being scratched from reaching the remaining matches in the book.

It will be seen that in'this modification the frame 35 is arranged to distort the book of matches by being 'swung fromv the position in Fig. 5 to the position in' Fig. 6. 'Iro fill the case with a book of matches it is only necessary to insert the book into the frame 35 as illustrated in Fig. 5 and then to swing the frame about its pivots (36 to the position shown in Fig. 6 until the lug 40 yieldably engages in its recess and the matches 24 are positioned against the inclined plate 42. In this modication, just as in the modification above, the book of matches is so positioned as to permit easy access Vto the matches when the case is opened.

Thus it will be seen that by-distorting the book of matches in the above mannera metal match box which is fty per cent smaller than the usual metal match box will suffice to hold a book of matches. Furthermore, the bending of the matches at the point where they are bound together weakens the paper at this point and assists in breaking o' the matches -with a full, useful length of shank. In addition the matches are so positioned as to be easily grasped by the ngers and detached, and the provision of the flre wall assists in preventing accidental ignition of the matches by the striking of amatch.

While` certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art'without departing from the spirit of the invention.

' What is claimed isz-V 1. In a matchbox, a case comprising a. base cover, a top cover hinged thereto, a distorted book of matches in said case, said book comprising a striking part and a plurality of matches secured to said striking part, said matches being bent near their junctions with said striking part so that they underlie said striking part, said case having means for holding said distorted book therein.

2. In a matchbox, a. case,a distorted book of matches in said case, said book comprising a striking part and a plurality of matches secured to said striking part, ysaid matches being bent near their junctions with said striking part so that they underlie said striking part, said case having means for holding said distorted book therein.

3. In a match box, a case comprising a base cover, a top cover hinged` thereto, a ydistorted book'of matches ,in said case, said bookcomprising a striking part and a plurality of matches secured to said striking part, said matches being bent near their junctions with said striking part so that they underlie said striking part, and a pocket pivoted to said base cover, said pocket receiving the striking part and operating to distort the book of matches when the pocket is swung down toward the base cover to bend said matches asA aforesaid.

4. In a match box, a case, a book of matches in said case having its matches bent back under the striking strip thereof, said case being of such reduced size in plan to accommodate, substantially snugly, a book of matches thus distorted.

5. In a match box, a case, a book of matches in said case, said book having its matches bound together at one end and bent to overlap the binding thereof, said case being ofsuch reduced size to accommodate, substantially snugly, a book of matches thus distorted. o

6. In a match box, a case comprising a base cover, a top cover hinged thereto, a distorted book of matches in said case, said book being of the type comprising a plurality of match layers, said layers each having a slitted part to fcrmwthe matches and an unslitted part, a striking strip 'on one side of said unslitted parts, means binding said unslitted parts and striking strip together, said'matches being bent near their junctions with said unslitted parts away from said striking strip so that theyunderlie said unslitted parts, said base cover having an inclined surface supporting said lmatches to spacev the ends thereof from the bottom of saidbase cover thereby to` make them more easily accessible, said base .cover having an inclined pocket for said unslitted parts and striki ing strip, said pocket having a slot to expose said striking strip when said top cover is opened, and means pivotally mounting said pocket in said base cover. o'

'7. In a match box, a case comprising 'a base cover, a top cover hinged thereto, a distortedbook of matches in said case, said book being of the type comprising a plurality of match layers, said layers each having a slitted part to form the matches and an unslitted part, a striking strip on one side of said'unslitted parts, means bind- `ing said unslitted parts and 'striking strip together, said matches being ybent near their junctions With said unslitted partsaway from said striking strip so that they underlie said unslitted parts, said base cover having a pocket. for said unslitted parts and striking strip, said pocket having a slot toexpose said striking strip.

8. In a match box, a casercomprising a base cover, a top cover hinged thereto, a distorted bock of matches in said case, said book being of the type comprising a plurality of match layers, said layers each havinga slitted part to form the matches and an unslitted part, a striking strip "on one sidev of said unslitted parts, means binding said unslitted parts and striking strip together, said matches being bent near their junctions with said unslitted parts away from said striking strip'so that they underlie said unslitted parts, said base cover having an inclined surface supporting said matches to space the ends thereof from the bottom of said base cover thereby to make them more easily accessible, said base cover having an inclined pocket for said unslitted parts and striking strip, said pocket having a slot to expose said striking strip when said top cover is opened.

9. In a match box, a case comprising a base cover, a top cover hinged thereto, a distorted book of matches in said case, said book compris-` ing a plurality of match layers, said layers each having a slitted part to form thel matches and an unslitted part, a single sheet bent around said unslitted parts to form a striking strip on one side of said layers and a cover on the other side of said layers, a rfastener passing through said unslitted parts and said striking strip and said cover, said matches being bent near their junctions with said unslitted parts away from said striking strip so that they underlie said unslitted parts, said case having means for hold-- ing said distorted book in said base cover with the striking strip and matches accessible, Wheref by saidmatches Will break on near their junctions With said unslitted parts when they are pulled out of the case.

10. In a match box, a case comprising a base cover, a top cover hinged thereto, a distorted book of matches in said case, said book com-k prising a striking part and a plurality of matches secured to said striking part,`said matches being bent near their junctions with said striking part so that they underlie said striking part, a U-shaped spring holder for said distorted' book comprising an inclined lower partsecured to said base cover and a spring upper part having a slot to expose said striking part, said upper part having a depending abutment to hold said distorted book in place and an inclined lip to assist in inserting said book.

l1. In a match box, a case, a book ofv matches in said case, said book having its matches bound together at one end, said book having parts thereof distorted from their natural shape to reduce the e'ective size of the book, said case being of such reduced size to accommodate substantially snugly a book of matches thus distorted.

HAROLD F. WILHELM. 

